my revised edition

Oh how things change once you win the lottery. I previously stated that Ryan Murray would be an Oiler but after winning the NHL Amateur draft lottery, the Oiler's find themselves in the enviable position of drafting first overall for the 3rd straight year. That doesn't change my philosophy that teams draft mostly on a "Best player available strategy"and therefore doesn't change my assessment of the players but it does change where some equally similar or talented players might get drafted. We now have a "Theoretical" blueprint for the upcoming draft and now where teams might draft and who they might take.

So again, lets get started by saying....

1. Edmonton Oilers, Nail Yakupov.

The most dynamic player, he can shoot, pass and skate and its just about been impossible to slow him down in the WHL. It won't be long before he is wrecking NHL defenses. When the Oiler's slid to 1st overall, they inevitably ended up with NAIL. He is just that far above the rest of the class and with all the weapons that the Oiler's already have, he will have an immediate impact on the Oiler's high powered offense playing alongside Hall and Hemsky. I'm still not convince that the Oiler's don't trade First for Second and the Blue Jackets 17th.

2. Columbus Blue Jackets, Mikail Grigorenko.

Huge hockey I.Q. I previously stated that Galchenyuk would be taken 2nd but the Blue Jackets need a guaranteed winning pick. Galchenyuk has more upside but more risk along with at least another year in Junior, he might not arrive quickly. Grigorenko will play this season or next. There is still the possibility of a package sent to the Oiler's for the first overall pick of Nail Yakupov and there is certainly some dangle as the Blue Jackets hold the 17th overall pick and can package 2 and 17 for Nail.

3. MONTREAL CANADIANS , Alex Galchenyuk.

Yes, Galchenyuk. He might be Nail's competition if not for the knee injury that has kept him out. Well folks, its just a knee injury. Born in the U.S.A., There is minimal RUSSIAN FACTOR risk, and he is 6'2". He has been compared to Marion Hossa and he is just what the Canadians need...a big scoring center. I still believe that Filip Forsberg is overrated but wouldn't be surprised to see him go here but hope someone else makes that mistake.

4. NEW YORK ISLANDERS, Ryan Murray

Poised and smooth puck moving defenseman, the complete package. Probably NOT going to be and OILER if the they don't trade down for him. He could go in the top 3 otherwise but I don't believe that the Canadians or Blue Jackets are going to be working on their defense with Jack Johnson and PK Subban in tow...but you never know. The Islanders however are a perfect fit. The have some D in the system but could really use an anchor and the offense for the next bunch of years is set.

5. TORONTO, Filip Forsberg.

This is another classic case of a player that showcases major talent but really doesn't produce the numbers to warrant such a high selection. Remember Magnus Parjarvi? For that matter, when was the last time a Swedish forward did anything close to what he is supposed to in the NHL. THEY are projects. That doesn't mean he won't turn into a great player, there have been many great swedes!

Not unlike Paarjarvi, he does posses all the necessary skills and size but it might take some honing to translate it to the NHL. I do believe this will be the nail in the Burke's coffin though because he is a project and might not even make the team for a couple of years, he won't be helping Burke now..

6. ANAHEIM DUCKS, Mattew Dumba

Does everything big. Big shot, Big hits. A month ago, arguably the first player taken from the deep defense draft but he didn't slide so much as Murray just separated himself. The Ducks need more abrasive players on the blue line that features a solid future in Fowler and Sbisa and all of the forwards are still young and prime. Dumba brings this abrasiveness and can contribute on what might be a great power play one day soon.

7. MINNESOTA WILD, Griffin Reinhart.

He is 6'4" and can skate! A mobile defensmen that excels in the shut down role and can contribute offensively, Burns is gone, NEED I say more?

8. CAROLINA HURRICANES, Radek Faska

A 6'2" Center that can put up points. Him or Brendan Gaunce. The have been missing that second wave of attack since Brind'amor left.

9. WINNIPEG JETS, Morgan Reilly.

Had he been injury free he might be placed higher only because we would know what kind of learning curve he might have.In the peg, its time to take one of the best two players available. Him or Trouba.

10. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING, Jacob Trouba.

Has high skill level and will eventually shut down NHL defenseman. There may be some untapped offensive potential but has yet to show much offense. Hedman and Trouba would be assets needed to compete in a tough conference.

Most likely to break the top ten

Brendan Gaunce.These are the type of players that you win Stanley Cups with, a powerful winger who plays both ends of the ice.

Overrated

Forsberg. This is another classic case of a player that showcases major talent but really doesn't produce the numbers to warrant such a high selection. Remember Magnus Parjarvi? For that matter, when was the last time a Swedish forward did anything close to what he is supposed to in the NHL. THEY are projects. That doesn't mean he won't turn into a hell of a player!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Sebastian Collberg Profile

Sebastian Collberg

Ht/Wt: 5'11"/174 lbsPosition: RWTeam: Frolunda HC (Swe)

Sebastian Collberg's Player Profile

Along with Filip Forsberg and Pontus Aberg, Sebastian Collberg makes up a corps of highly skilled wingers that headline the Swedish contingent at this year’s draft. At 5-foot-11, Collberg doesn’t have the ideal size that Forsberg has, but does possess great speed, great hands and excellent one-on-one moves that were on full display when he scored 7 points in 6 games at the World Juniors, outshining the more highly regarded Forsberg. Collberg has what some scouts have described as an NHL-caliber release on his wrist shot and have similarly praised Collberg’s offensive awareness and ability to put himself into prime goal-scoring position. While Collberg will likely need some time to bulk up and round out all the areas of his game, his impressive performance at the World Juniors could be a sign of things to come for this promising young Swede. Sebastian Collberg projects to be a speedy, goal-scoring winger in the NHL.

Comparable: Ales HemskySubmitted by: Cam Ballingall

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The team is lead by three centers in Paul Stastny, Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly. A combination of talent, consistency, defense and a huge future.

Milan Hedjuk, David Jones and Brandon Yip flank the right side, and littel star power on the left with T.J. Galiardi, Peter Mueller and Daniel Winnik on the left. The player that makes things interesting will be Gabriel Landeskog who is expected to make the team. If he performs well, this team will be tough to play against. Joey Hishon is another player that could make the jump but regarless, is a big peice of the future.

The defense will be lead by Eric Johnson who should be alot better this time around, Kyle Quincey and Matt Hunwick. Gaunce and Siemens are huge for the future.

Goaltending has depth, a veteran presence, youth and skill in Gigure and Varlamov. Calvin Pickard is the future and may see time if Giggy finds shelf again.

Should be a good team out of the gates but may again wear down as so many players are young and not fully developed. I have them in the playoffs.

Bucket
Melon
nothing like a slapshot to the chops
Put this one to bed
Rang it off the iron

His sarcasm and understanding of the game and that of sports is refreshing and up to date.
I feel like quitting on TSN everytime one of those other monkeys has the Conch!

Some other odds and ends...

I'm gearing up on the Caps this year, they screwed me last year but I see a completely different player in Ovi lately and think he might carry the team to the second round.........UNLESS they play the Pitt.

I'm still down on Toronto. I just don't believe you can put a team together on the useless players the other teams gave up on or don't want.
Armstrong, Lupul (even though superb year), Liles, Phaneuf, Connolly, Komisarek, MaCarthur and Steckel.
At one point or another, these guys have been devalued and dumped by a different team in the past couple of years.

HIGH on....

Eberle. Hell, I'm an Oiler but barring injury's next year, I have him scoring 50 goals. Hall with a 40-40 and this team WILL make the playoffs next year.

High on...

Calgary. Did I just say that. A couple years a go I said that BAERTSCHI, SVEN (L) was the only pick the Flames should make and that would save them from a complete rebuild. Now with him and Backlund, Leland Irving in net, the flames aren't dead and buried yet.
They are also playing great hockey right now with have the field down on an injury bug.
Go Flames. (nah!)

Monday, March 12, 2012

Forget the mock drafts of Morreale, Kimelman and Hoffner on NHL.com, they were terrible predictors last year and will again fail this year. Both seem to think that a team will draft based on position but as history proves time and time again, a team drafts its prospects in the early rounds based on the "best player available" strategy. Now I would give them a bit of a pass on a few of the players taken early on as who could have predicted Zibanejad going so early...gee, I had him going 8th not 6th.

Well, lets get started by saying....

1. Nail Yakupov.
The most dynamic player, he can shoot, pass and skate and its just about been impossible to slow him down in the WHL. It won't be long before he is wrecking NHL defenses. If the Oilers slide to 1st overall, despite all the forwards they have, they still pick Nail. He is just that far above the rest of the class.

2. Alex Galchenyuk.
Yes, Galchenyuk. He might be Nail's competition if not for the knee injury that has kept him out. Well folks, its just a knee injury. Born in the U.S.A., There is minimal RUSSIAN FACTOR risk, and he is 6'2". He has been compared to Marion Hossa.

3. Mikail Grigorenko.
Huge hockey I.Q. People might think I'm nutbar for putting Galchenyuk ahead of him but the RUSSIAN FACTOR really scares me and I think there is minimum upside comparably.

5. Matt Dumba
Does everything big. Big shot, Big hits. Arguably the first player taken from the deap defense draft.

6. Griffin Reinhart.
He is 6'4" and can skate! A mobile defensmen that excels in the shut down role and can contribute offensively, NEED I say more?

7. Radek Faska
A 6'2" Center that can put up points.

8. Morgan Reilly.
Had he been injury free he might be placed higher only because we would know what kind of learning curve he might have.

9. Jacob Trouba.
Has high skill level and will eventually shut down NHL defenseman. There may be some untapped offensive potential but has yet to show much offense.

10. Brendan Gaunce.
These are the type of players that you win Stanley Cups with, a powerful winger who plays both ends of the ice.

Overrated...

1. Forsberg. This is another classic case of a player that showcases major talent but really doesn't produce the numbers to warrant such a high selection. Remember Magnus Parjarvi? For that matter, when was the last time a Swedish forward did anything close to what he is supposed to in the NHL. THEY are projects. That doesn't mean he won't turn into a hell of a player!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Here is an interesting team. I suggessted before the playoffs began that the only way that the Bruins would win the Cup is if they're best player showed up to play. Well, Brad Marchand did! You can argue with me about who you think is the best player all day. Chara, Krejci, Lucic, Thomas. Not unlike the previous year, as Duncan Keith goes, so went the Hawks...as Marchand went, so did the Bruins.

This is a deap team that still has a very big future. Helped by not only great drafting but by one of the worst GM's in the history of the game. C'mon, Kessel for a first and a second round pick in 2010, and a first round pick in 2011. Admit you made a mistake already! The Bruins have Seguin and Dougie Hamiltion in the recent drafts, and still have a stocked cupboard from previous drafts in Hamil, Knight, Spooner and Caron. And hey, would the Bruins have won the cup if not for the play of Seguin in the third round?

Peter Chiarelli made some great moves when he landed both Horton and Campbell from Florida and Seguin in the Leaf Trade and this team is not only in tact but going to get better. Marchand and Seguin are no longer rookies and with a possible return of Savard to the roster and I'm thinking repeat. I still think there might be some surprise in Benoit Pouliot's game and size and he is only 24. The recent aquisition of Corvo smoothes out the transition to Dougie Hamilton next year. The only losses were Ryder and Recchi who played well in the offs.